With his criticism of the participation of Israel’s participation in the world’s largest music competition in the world, JJ, the song winner of the Song Contest, caused enormous indignation. In the meantime, John Pietsch thrown back and apologized “if my words were misunderstood”. Nevertheless, the Israeli ambassador in Vienna now wants to meet him personally. In addition to Israel, Pietsch also annoyed Ukraine.
The interview with the Spanish daily newspaper “El Pais” went on like a bomb. Pietsch was quoted there in the following words: “It is very disappointing that Israel will still participate in the competition. I would like the Eurovision Song Contest to take place in Vienna next year – without Israel.” In his interview, JJ indirectly expressed a comparison between Israel’s participation and the exclusion of Russia of the ESC since the attack on Ukraine. He made no explicit comparison, but he made it with the statement, but “both are attackers” at the same level.
After this comparison, there was not only in Israel, but also in Austrian inner domestic politics. “The statements of our Song Contest winner JJ are unacceptable. Israel wants to exclude the ESC and equating Russia is completely wrong and forgotten,” emphasized the old National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka (ÖVP). Everyone who ignores Hamas’ brutal terrorist attack – more than 1200 people killed families and countless hostages, many of whom are still caught – and at the same time demonize Israel, serve dangerous anti -semitic patterns.
“Terror and anti -semitism have no place in our free, pluralistic society, just as little as sympathy for it,” Alexander Pröll (ÖVP), State Secretary for the fight against anti -Semitism. The attempt to equate Russia with Israel is the same as a falsification of history. “JJ is a great singer, but apparently politically dangerously advised,” said the governor of the Lower Austria, Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP). In Lower Austria there would be “no ESC without Israel”.
FPö: “Our government is celebrating an Anti -Semite”
The Vienna FPö boss Dominik Nepp took the opportunity to criticize the government by posting a photo and wrote a photo that JJ and the Federal Government pointed to X: “This is how our federal government celebrates an anti-Semite and makes it socially acceptable.” Anyone who equates Israel’s self -defense to the Russian War of Aggression and Jewish terrorist victims in Washington “with a similar has no place in the parquet of the Republic. Deserves the beginning!” Says fake. The blue politician therefore referred to the fact that JJ had given an article from the “standard” about the attack on two Israeli embassy staff in Washington DC on Instagram.
Israel’s ambassador wants to meet JJ personally
Oskar Deutsch, president of the Israeli cultural community, stated via X: “JJ called after the ESC to spread love. But now he joins the choir of Israel Haters, is making Israeli victims aggressors and divided. This is disappointing, but above all dangerous.” Israël’s ambassador in Austria now wants to meet JJ personally “and talk to him about all these topics”.
Ambassador David Roet said an invitation: “I heartily invite him to visit Israel-I am sure that Yuval (remark: Yuval Raphael, the ESC participant of Israel and survivors of the Hamas attacks of 7 October 2023) would also like to make a big difference to hear a different perspective.”
Ukrainian viewers romp: “Sch *** about Eurovision!”
The 24-year-old Contratenor also treated problems in Ukraine. Because as a large role model for the winning song “Wasted Love”, besides Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey and Maria Callas, Anna Netrebko, who also recognized Pietsch in an interview before the song competition, also served. On social media and internet forums, JJ was partly offended by Ukrainian users after his victory. For example, a user commented on the website of the Ukrainian TV station Kanal 24: “Austria won the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The winner was inspired by a Russian opera singer who supports the genocide of the Ukrainian people. Fuck on Eurovision.” Another channel 24 to TOBTE: “A fan of Russian shit will be Eurovision-winner-Austria.”
The singer with Russian ears of double citizenship was criticized against Ukraine because of her legitimate proximity of Russian President Vladimir Putin after the start of the War aggression. Since then, protests have been the accompanying music of their performances in different countries – also in Austria. Many events were also canceled.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
